Blender still needs about 130 hours of course projects to become useful, but is a lot better in >5 due to better color handling and geometry nodes.

Maya is frozen in time, and that is not necessarily a bad thing...

Great video on getting 3D render preview speeds up:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0GW8Na5CIE

Geometry nodes tutorials:

https://www.youtube.com/@TheDucky3D/videos

Blender still needs plugins to be functional for content:

https://tinynocky.gumroad.com/l/tinyeye

https://sanctus.gumroad.com/l/SLibrary

https://flipfluids.gumroad.com/l/flipfluids

https://artell.gumroad.com/l/auto-rig-pro

https://bartoszstyperek.gumroad.com/l/ahwvli

https://polyhaven.com/plugins/blender

https://extensions.blender.org/add-ons/mpfb/

Recommended training (Some artists like it, and some don't ymmv):

1. (A) Complete Blender Creator: Learn 3D Modelling for Beginners

https://www.udemy.com/course/blendertutorial/

* Basics of low-poly design in blender

2. (B+) Blender Animation & Rigging: Bring Your Creations To Life

https://www.udemy.com/course/blender-animation-rigging/

* Some more practice rigging

* Export to game engine teaser

3. (B) The Ultimate Blender 3D Sculpting Course

https://www.udemy.com/course/blender-3d-sculpting-course/

* Sculpting, Retopology, and VDM brushes

* a few outdated examples, and annoying instruction style

* basic anatomy

* covers several workflows

* Instructor is inexperienced

4. (A+) The Ultimate Blender 3D Simulations, Physics & Particles

https://www.udemy.com/course/blender-simulations-physics-par...

* Shader/Texture basics

* Geometry node basics

* Boid sprites

* Hair and physics simulation

* Camera FX, and post-render filters

* Focused on Blender v4.3

* Instructions on how to export your assets to Unity 3D and Unreal game engines